Game Preview: The Colorado Avalanche Begin Homestand Against New Jersey Devils

The Colorado Avalanche are finally back home on Wednesday after most of the team got some much-needed rest during the Four Nations Faceoff break. Wednesday’s game kicks off a six-game homestand, then the Avalanche will head back on the road on March 11th. This homestand is the longest one the team will see for the remainder of the season, so while not all of these games are against divisional opponents, wins at home will be crucial to their battle for a playoff spot.

Tonight’s game against the New Jersey Devils will see forward Valeri Nichushkin return to the lineup. The power forward hasn’t played since 2024, when he last faced the Winnipeg Jets on New Year’s Eve.

Mackenzie Blackwood will get the start in net for the Avalanche. Based on New Jersey’s occupant in the starter’s crease, it looks like Jake Allen will get the start for the Devils.

It’s been clear that Nichushkin’s presence on the ice has been sorely missed, a point that defenseman Cale Makar emphasized today following morning skate. Head Coach Jared Bednar pointed to his ability to play both sides of the puck as being something the team is looking forward to getting back.

On Saturday, Miles Wood skated in his 500th NHL game. Tonight, he will skate in his 100th game in Burgundy and Blue.

In two seasons as a member of the Avalanche and 99 games played, the Buffalo, NY-born forward has tallied 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists). In 501 games in his NHL career, he’s racked up a total of 177 total points (89 goals, 88 assists).

Fun Fact: Want to take a guess as to who the other 402 games of his career were spent with?

…The New Jersey Devils.

Puck Drop: 7:38 pm Mountain Time

Local (Colorado) TV Broadcast: Altitude Sports, Altitude+, My20 KTVD-TV/KUSA-TV

NJD TV Broadcast: MSG Sportsnet

Non-local TV Broadcast: ESPN+

Local (Colorado) Radio: Altitude Sports Radio